< PreviousCULVERTHORPE HALLIn fact, this easy walk is enjoyable at any time of year, whatever the weather, for there is noarable land to cross and the parkland setting where we begin is attractive in all seasons. Webegin from North Kesteven District Council’s Stepping Out carpark at Culverthorpe, goingfirst through the lovely estate grounds via some of NKDC’s Stepping Out footpath networkand then exploring further afield on public rights of way.Culverthorpe may well have been a larger settlement in AD1086 than it is today. We knowfrom the Domesday Book that at that time one of the landowners had three carucates of land– a carucate being a somewhat vague measurement with local variations of between 120 and200 of our modern acres – as well as meadows. In addition to landowners there were eightvillagers mentioned so, including serfs and everyone’s families, who were not mentioned indetail since the Domesday was primarily a tax record, we can extrapolate from that a likelypopulation of at least fifty or so. We are also told that there was a church and a priest.However if there really was a church there it has long disappeared and the likelihood is thatthe reference is to nearby Heydour since no trace of a mediaeval church has ever beenfound at Culverthorpe itself.The hall dates partly from the 17th century and partly from the 18th century and hasbeen described by Rev. Henry Thorold, the late Lincolnshire architectural historian, ashaving “the air of a French chateau”. Building began about 1680 for Sir John Newton, acousin of Sir Isaac Newton, and Member of Parliament for Grantham. Sir John’s houseformed the central section of the building that we see today. Around 1730 Sir John’sdescendent Sir Michael Newton extended the original house by adding side wingspossibly for motive of expressing a new-found status as he had married into anotherNewton baronetcy from Gloucestershire (though of an unrelated family) and his new wifewas Margaret was Countess Coningsby. There are Newton monuments in Heydourchurch.A sad tale about the family tells of the tragedy that struck the lives of Sir Michael andhis bride in 1733, when their baby Viscount son, who was only three months old, was30 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYLINCOLNSHIRE WALKSEXPLORINGON FOOTCULVERTHORPESet in the limestone uplands to the east of Grantham isCulverthorpe Hall. Its park and lakes represents the archetypalEnglish country estate house - an ideal location for a spring walk.THE LAKESIDE PATHA MULTIPLICITY OFWAYMARKSLincolnshire030-031:Layout 1 18/3/13 09:02 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRETODAY31LINCOLNSHIRE WALKSTHE RUINED CHAPELTHE RETURN TRACK TOCULVERTHORPECULVERTHORPE REFLECTIONSCULVERTHORPE LAKE & PARK FARMkilled when a pet monkey threw him off the balcony of their Londonhome. In later years the house passed to the Houblon family whose namelives on at the inn in the nearby village of Oasby. During WWII the hall wasused as a forces billet but has since become a private home again.Even though it seems likely that Culverthorpe never did have a parishchurch of its own the Hall did have a private chapel built about 1691. Whenit was eventually demolished its frontage, with huge Ionic columns, was re-erected to the east of the hall amongst the woods beside the lane leading toWilsford and Rauceby. It can be seen via a very short detour, best done whenthe trees have few or no leaves. See the route guide below.The walk beyond Culverthorpe Park and village has fine views across rollingcountryside to Sleaford and beyond.NOTES.Culverthorpe lies to the north of the A52 and can be reached byturning off through Dembleby or via Oasby. From the A17 approach throughSwarby.THE ROUTE.On entering the carpark look to your left for a short footpathleading onto the estate road forming a causeway between two lakes. At thefar side follow the road as it twists uphill and then bear right and walk pastthe front of the hall. Stay on the road to reach the impressive exit gate atCulverthorpe village.Just beyond this - if you wish to make the chapel detour - take the lanebranching off to the left; after 150 yards or so amongst the trees, again on theleft, is the rebuilt chapel façade mentioned in the introduction.Otherwise continue to a “T” junction and turn right. After approximately200 yards take the signed footpath on the left beside a stream. After a quarterof a mile zig-zag left then right so as to continue with the stream now on yourright. The path soon goes right again and then left to reach a footbridge.Climb the field edge path ahead and zig-zag right then left at the top of theslope. Now follow well waymarked field edge paths (there are two left andtwo right turns) until you come to a lane.Turn right. In just under a mile look for a signed track on the right andfollow that through a further half a mile to another road near Culverthorpe.You can turn left here for 200 yards to a hedge gap on the right fromwhich a lakeside path returns directly to Culverthorpe carpark.Much better though is to look across the road (slightly to your left) whereanother signposted path heads over the Culverthorpe lakes dam. At the farside, just above the lake shore, a fenced path branches left; take this. It leadsto a kissing gate at the estate causeway road and rejoins the outward route.Turn left back to your car.by Hugh MarrowsFACTFILESTART: Culverthorpe “Stepping Out” carpark. (GR 019399)DISTANCE: 5 miles • 8 kilometresMAPS: OS Landranger 130 (Grantham) • Explorer 248REFRESHMENTS: None on route. The nearest inn is the Houblon Armsin Oasby.030-031:Layout 1 18/3/13 09:02 Page 232 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYINTERVIEW WITH…Heather Marie is enjoying huge success as she singsthe songs of the forties and fifties to hugely appreciativeaudiences. Although she’s from Merseyside, Heather now lives inLincolnshire as her fiancée Matthew Little is Director ofMusic of The Band of The Royal Air Force Regiment, andis based in RAF Cranwell. She performs across the UK butregularly sings in Lincolnshire, including at a fantasticspecial event in Woodhall Spa soon.We caught up with Heather to ask why her favouriteera is proving so popular...You’re only 29, so how did you become interested inthe forties and fifties?I grew up listening to fifties music, lots of rock’n’rolland the big band music of the rat pack scene, so when Istarted singing professionally I knew it was an era I wasinterested in. Then I started listening to more music fromthe forties and discovered all the fashions and the styleand absolutely fell in love with it.The era’s proving more and more popular too, withartists like Paloma Faith and Imelda May...Yes, they have vintage style with a modern twist,which is quite wearable... well, maybe not so much ofthe stuff Paloma Faith wears! It’s modern but with afunky vintage twist. I think it’s becoming popularbecause it’s a very flattering style, especially the fiftiesdresses, the wiggle dresses, that are free at the hips. It’svery very feminine and if you’re looking at actual vintageclothing, rather than the vintage-inspired clothes youfind on the high street, you’re buying clothes that weremade to last. It may be fifty or sixty years old and youknow it’s going to last you for another twenty years or sobecause the fabrics are so good.Where do you find your outfits?I search around in vintage shops, and when I sing atforties events there’s normally some items for sale too.Sometimes at vintage fairs a lot of the clothes can beoverpriced but there are some fantastic vintage shops inLincoln. I also look online and buy a lot of things fromAmerica, and if I can’t find vintage then I’ll also wearreproduction items.How regularly do you perform?Last year I had over ninety engagements, and theJubilee celebrations were fantastic, I basically just sang allweek. It was a great time and I’m already fully bookedfor most of this summer.You’ve performed at a lot of weddings recently. Whydo you think your act is proving so popular there?Vintage weddings are really in fashion at the moment.Just recently I visited the Wedcraft fair at the LincolnshireShowground which was devoted to the vintage, hand-made approach. It’s not only the glamorous side of theweddings but also cute vintage kitsch is really on trend.Times are hard at the moment and that of course harksback to the forties and fifties where people were doing allthey could with what they had. People are increasinglymaking their own things, they have their own allotmentsand so on. I’ve noticed a lot more co-operatives andcommunity groups coming together these days andpeople working together. As well as your fiancée, you have other connectionswith the RAF...Yes, I’m a member of the RAF Association and I do alot of work for them through fundraising and performingat charity events. I ran the London Marathon for themThesweetheartSIRENHeather Marie recreates the style and the sounds of the past asshe performs throughout Lincolnshire and the UK032-033:Layout 1 18/3/13 09:04 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRETODAY33INTERVIEW WITH…last year, which was certainly an experience, and my fiancéeis running it this year too.Tell us about your forthcoming show in Woodhall Spa.That’s on Wednesday 15th May and it’s going to be awonderful event. It’s part of the seventieth anniversarycommemorations of the Dambusters and there’ll be ascreening of The Dambusters at the Kinema in the Woods,followed by a reception at the Petwood Hotel where I’llbe singing with the voluntary band of RAFWaddington. It’s going to be fantastic.Though you’re a huge fan of the forties andfifties, are there any 21st century items youcouldn’t live without?Definitely my iPhone and iPad – it’s vitally importantfor my work. We talk about the community spirit and Isuppose social networking is the other side of that, it’s greatto bring people together.To find out more about Heather Marie’s concerts, read her blog and buy her album,visit her website atwww.heathermarie.co.ukI grew up listening to fifties music,lots of rock’n’roll and the big bandmusic of the rat pack scene032-033:Layout 1 18/3/13 09:04 Page 234 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYBAILGATE WEDDING FAYREBAILGATE’Smagical marriage ideasPHOTOS BY ANGIE COOPERThe best bits of uphill Lincoln were shown off to prospective brides and grooms planning their big day at the first Bailgate WeddingFayre, sponsored by Lincolnshire Today. Ten of the biggest wedding venues in the Bailgate played host to dozens of local suppliers.The fayre offered a unique opportunity for people planning their big day to visit several venues in one go. From traditional,contemporary and boutique hotels to more quirky and historic venues, there really was something for everyone. Each venue was fullof stall holders exhibiting florists, wedding dresses, menswear, photographers, vehicle hire, catering, cake makers and much more.The fayre showed off the potential of Lincoln as a fabulous wedding destination – and if you somehow missed it, don’t worry! Anotherspectacular event is planned for Sunday 13th October, so make a date in your diary.034-035:Layout 1 18/3/13 09:11 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRETODAY35BAILGATE WEDDING FAYRELincolnshire Bailgate Wedding Fayresponsored by Lincolnshire Today034-035:Layout 1 18/3/13 09:11 Page 236 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYFASHION036-045:Layout 1 18/3/13 12:03 Page 1FASHIONThis month’s fashion pages are very much vintage inspired, in line with thetheme of this month’s magazine. Fashion Designers have, after all, alwayslooked to the archives of yesteryear and put their own spin on an old trendbut that doesn’t mean you have to dress like you’re on your way to aHollywood remake. Different interpretations of an old look by designers are actuallyquite breathtaking at times and mixing vintage inspired themes withmodern items creates a stunning look.The VintageFASHIONISTAMain: MasaiMasai consistently deliver beautiful collections, and thisspring is no exception. This season features somestunning colours, including coral and French navy. Fabricsrange from pretty cotton prints to soft jersey, and there isan emphasis on effortless style.Right: OuiOui’s ethos is for fashion that’s playful, colourful andinnovative – and the bold shapes and colours are perfectfor that retro look036-045:Layout 1 18/3/13 12:03 Page 238 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYFASHION036-045:Layout 1 18/3/13 12:03 Page 3LINCOLNSHIRETODAY39Opposite: Noa NoaThis sleeveless tunic has a V-neck with a single concealedbutton on the inside. At thebottom, it has beautiful tone-in-tone embroidery. This is agreat outfit for wearing toparties with high heels andperfect as a short dress in thesummer.Above: MasaiA Padma culotte and Hanneletunic are accompanied by aHaida jacket from Masai. Aikoand Alaia necklaces and anAng bracelet complete thelook.Right: Noa NoaPretty watercolours and sheerfabrics set the mood forspring’s enchanting dresses. Far right: OuiThe retro look can certainlybe bold and stylish and Oui’sdesigns are aimed at self-confident and extrovertedwomen036-045:Layout 1 18/3/13 12:03 Page 4Next >